A stand-up guy
It's a beautiful Tuesday afternoon in Los Angeles, and D.L. Hughley is calling from the golf course. Every few moments, he pauses to talk to his caddy, or greet a friend.

10 questions with an oil-change man
Bob Fuller is part-owner -- along with other family members -- of the chain of 11 Chicago-area Fuller's car wash and quick oil change stores, wasn't always an owner.

Folkfest set in Geneva

The 32nd Annual Fox Valley Folk Music and Storytelling Festival will present more than 100 hours of folk music, dance and storytelling on eight stages featuring more than 36 of the finest Midwest and national folk music and storytelling acts on Sunday and Monday at Island Park in Geneva.

Geneva theater group gets early OK
Plans for a community theater in downtown Geneva cleared another hurdle as the City Council gave its preliminary approval this week.

All the Valley's a stage
The fall season at the area's big venues got into full swing on Sunday as classic rock icon Foreigner came to the Paramount Theatre in Aurora.

Paleta pops
Las Paletas was out of the avocado-flavored ones, so Adrienne Muich tried the chai tea flavor.

Geneva film fest to preview documentary on garbage
GENEVA -- How much garbage does an average family generate in three months?

arts briefs

Turn off the radio and go to the folk fest
My husband Pat likes music and by music, I mean all kinds of music. On Sunday mornings, we listen to the eerie Hearts of Space which is a collection of electronic, experimental, new age-type recordings. On Saturday nights, we tune into folk songs on The Midnight Special. He knows the words to multiple Frank Zappa and Grateful Dead songs and keeps up with every band that our teenage sons find interesting. He grooves to jazz, rocks with reggae, hums along with the occasional opera and likes to work to blue grass. He even has a multiple CD set of accordion "hits" from around the world and DVD's of Tony Bennett performances.

Annual Folk Fest set at Geneva's Island Park
The 32nd Annual Fox Valley Folk Music and Storytelling Festival will present more than 100 hours of folk music, dance and storytelling on eight stages featuring more than 36 of the finest Midwest and national folk music and storytelling acts on Aug. 31 and Sept. 1 at Island Park in Geneva.

Fall season swings into session

The fall season at the area's big venues gets in full swing this weekend as Foreigner comes to the Paramount Theatre in Aurora for a show at 8 p.m. Sunday.

Here and Now

French Connection day at Cantigny
Cantigny Park will host a French Connection day to celebrate the grand opening of one of Cantigny's restaurants and gourmet coffee shop from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday at the park, 1S151 Winfield Road, Wheaton. Cantigny will provide a host of French-themed programs such as an open-air market, street performers and wine tasting.

Thomas the Tank Engine to visit railway museum
Thomas the Tank Engine is set to roll into the Illinois Railway Museum in Union for the Day Out With Thomas 2008: The Great Discovery Tour. The event takes place consecutive weekends on Aug. 15-17 and 23-24.

Date Book

'Last of the summer festivals' won't disappoint
Known by many as the last of the summer festivals before the kids return to school, Elburn Days is celebrating its 79th year of old-fashioned fun and entertainment. Volunteers from the Elburn Lions Club, sponsors of the three-day event, have selected this year's theme as "Knights of the Blind since 1929" honoring the establishment of the club and its mission to serve the Kaneland school district community.

'American Pie' actor to jam at pub crawl
Being called "Kevin" doesn't bother Thomas Ian Nicholas. "People can get a little upset when they yell 'Kevin' and I don't turn around," said the actor, laughing. Nicholas portrayed the character Kevin Myers in the American Pie films. Acting is just one facet of the 28-year-old's career. Another passion is music.

A cure for brain drain
Summertime doesn't mean kids have to close the book on their education. Nor do their parents have to travel great distances to show the family a good time. There are any number of fun and informative activities just waiting to be discovered in the area's many museums.

'Trio' combines live music, dance
Seeing a local dance production may not be the same as seeing the closing ceremonies of the 2008 Summer Olympics. But the choreography will be similar if Olympic organizers choose Underground Arts Connection's dance numbers for the grand finale in the summer games' closing ceremonies.